Method and apparatus for mass producing high quality transparent ice cubes

ABSTRACT

An ice cube maker having modules to mass produce high quality transparent ice cubes comprising an agitation system and a refrigeration system utilizing at least substantially one directional freezing of the water through a wall of an ice mold to make an ice cube having a center that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble with no visible cracking therein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/969,980, entitled “ICE CUBE MAKER AND METHOD FORMAKING HIGH QUALITY TRANSPARENT ICE CUBES,” filed Oct. 20, 2022, whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/741,846, entitled “ENERGY EFFICIENT TRANSPARENT ICE CUBE MAKER,”filed May 11, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/974,284, entitled “Clear ice cube makingdevice,” filed Dec. 16, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. PatentProvisional Application No. 63/102,512, entitled “Popsicle device,”filed Jun. 19, 2020, which are specifically incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an icemaker for massproducing ice cubes that are transparent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There have been several attempts to mass produce transparent ice cubesof high quality by agitating water in an ice cube mold during thefreezing process. There are three separate and equally important aspectsthat determines the quality of a transparent ice cube, non-visiblebubbles, non-visible crystallization and cracks in the ice cube. Thepresent invention addresses those three separate issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The terminology “visible” herein means what a human having 20/20 visionin both eyes sees without visual enhancement in the sunlight. Theterminology “ice cube” or “cube” herein is not limited to a size orshape and means any shaped or sized ice. The terminologies “includes”and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to theterminology “comprising.” Similarly, the terminology “or” is generallyintended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B orboth”). Approximating language, as used herein throughout thespecification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitativerepresentation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a changein the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a valuemodified by a terminology, such as “about,” “approximately”, and“substantially”, and “substantial”, are not to be limited to the precisevalue specified. In at least some instances, the approximating languagemay correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring thevalue. For example, the approximating language may refer to being withina ten percent margin. The terminology “motor” herein may refer to anysuitable drive motor and/or transmission assembly. The term “ice mold”means any structure that water is frozen in. The terminology “center” inrelationship to an “ice cube” means the absolute center point of the“ice cube”. The terminology “substantially level” with respect to an icecube means the surface has no cracks or holes and a surface issubstantially flat on a flat level surface. Work of Applicant's to theextent it is described in this disclosure, as well as aspects of thedescription that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time offiling, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior artagainst the present disclosure. The present invention incorporatesherein all related art submitted in the Information DisclosureStatements in their entireties.

An aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is having the rightcombination of proper water agitation, a properly configured ice moldand properly configured refrigeration setup to make a transparent icecube with a center void of visible crystallization, void of a visiblebubble and void of a visible crack. The releasing of bubbles is not thescience behind making a transparent ice cube but a result of theprocess. As an example, take a short glass and fill it half full ofwater that has no visible bubbles. Stick your finger in the water andstir. You will see your finger movement creates visible bubbles such asany agitation means would if the agitation is vigorous enough. Allbubbles can never be eliminated no matter how long you agitate the watereven if half the water is frozen. Agitation will therefore make bubblesappear in otherwise visually clear water. The key is not releasing, orprevention of bubbles in water while the water freezes, which isimpossible, but not trapping visible bubbles in the ice cube. Therefore,in one embodiment of the present invention the agitation is adjustedthat at the point where the water freezes, the pressure is such thatvisible air bubbles are not frozen in an ice cube. Disclosures thatsuggest they prevent the formation of air bubbles as the water freezestherefore is scientifically impossible as seen in claims in applicationNo. 2022/0243972 to Harrell, Robert E. “ . . . prevent formation of airbubbles as the water freezes . . . .” As the above example illustrates,bubbles can never be eliminated in water no matter how long you agitatethe water even if half the water in the glass is frozen. Agitation willtherefore make bubbles appear in otherwise visually clear water and notprevent their formation. Disclosures that say they use water that hasextremely low air content, or uses water having a low amount of bubbles,or water having a low amount of air pockets, is not scientificallyaccurate either. See for example first page of application No.2019/2024000 to Flores, “ . . . filtered water having extremely low aircontent (e.g., small air pockets, such as bubbles).” Water used to maketransparent ice cubes has about the same concentration of air as anyother water used to make ice cubes. It is the complete configuration ofa transparent ice maker that determines if the ice cube has visiblebubbles trapped in an ice cube and not the amount of air in water.

An aspect of one embodiment of the present invention discloses a properfrequency and amplitude combination to make a transparent ice cube so aperson with or without a scientific instrument can do so. Amplitude isthe intensity of the water movement while frequency is the rate of themovement. In one embodiments of the present invention, a properamplitude intensity is achieved when water droplets jump above the watersurface and most preferably jumps over one eight of an inch above thewater's surface. The amplitude can be too high. As an example and notlimitation, when an ice mold is filled with water and a maximumamplitude for a high frequency is applied all the water may either jumpout of the mold, or super cold droplets from the bottom of the water maycome to the surface and may freeze the surface water if the mold has alid and that may result in the surface becoming slushy and milkylooking. Further the high amplitude may create an uneven freezing of thewater to the degree it creates a cloudy cube because it adverselyaffects the pressure in the water. If either of these events happen theamplitude is adjusted downward. As an example, and not limitation toincrease amplitude in one embodiment of the present invention, from asystem using an eccentric vibrator, weights are adjusted or added orsubtracted to increase or decrease amplitude. In one embodiment, thedisclosed amplitude creates a high-pressure region and a low-pressureregion in water within the ice mold and at a point where the water turnsinto ice the pressure is such that air molecules are at that point andfrozen while above that point the pressure is such that air is visibleto unaided eye as it rises to the surface as a visible bubble.Therefore, an air molecule is in the center of the ice cube of thepresent invention and a visible bubble is not frozen in the center ofthe ice cube. The amplitude of the wave depends upon the energy (motordrive output) associated with the system and the energy of the wave isdirectly proportional to the frequency of the wave. Frequency isinversely related to the amplitude of the wave. In one embodiment of thepresent invention the oscillating energy is such that no matter how muchweight is oscillated a water drop jumps above the top surface of thewater. As an example, if you oscillate a 100 pounds total and fivepounds is water and you use a small driving force motor, a water dropletmay never jump above the top surface of the water no matter what thefrequency and amplitude. By increasing the driving motor output a dropof water will jump above the top surface of the water. The presentinvention contemplates all ways to achieve the goal of a water dropletjumping above the top surface of the water with all agitation devicesduring a segment of time water freezes and all ways fall into the scopeof the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a proper frequency isachieved when the frequency is adjusted for the total mass moved untilthe amplitude is such that water droplets jump above the top surface ofthe water in multiple ice molds.

The creation of high- and low-pressure regions within water in an icemold is shown in the detailed drawings herein and described herein is byway of example and not limitations as the present invention contemplatesall ways to create the proper pressure regions for all agitation devicesdisclosed herein to make an ice cube having a center void of a visiblebubble and void of visible crystallization and void of a visible crackand all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. The amplitudedescribed and shown herein is by way of example and not limitation asthe present invention contemplates all ways to create the properpressure differences in water so at the point the water turns to icevisible bubbles are not frozen in the center of an ice cube. Theadjustment of amplitude is described by way of example and notlimitation as the present inventions contemplates all ways to provide aproper amplitude and/or pressure regions in all devices disclosed hereinto make an ice cube having a center void of a visible bubble and void ofvisible crystallization and void of visible cracking therein and allways fall into the scope of the present invention. An ice cube can becrystal clear and still have numerous bubbles and/or a visible crack.

Another aspect of the one embodiment of the present invention ispreventing visible crystallization in the center of a transparent icecube. Atmospheric gases such as nitrogen and oxygen can dissolve inwater. The amount of gas dissolved depends on the temperature of thewater and the atmospheric pressure at the air/water interface. Colderwater and higher pressure allow more gas to dissolve; conversely, warmerwater and lower pressure allow less gas to dissolve. Air has atoms inthe form of molecules or noble gases. When water freezes it usuallypasses from the liquid to the solid state. As a liquid, water moleculesare in constant motion, bumping and jostling each other and neverstaying in one place for long. When water freezes, the molecules slowand settle into place, lining up in regular formations you see ascrystals. One embodiment of the present invention provides a properwater movement pressure inside a properly configured ice mold, so themolecules do not line up to the degree they cause visiblecrystallization in the center of an ice cube. Crystallization can formin ice without visible bubbles in water. Take a metal cup and fill withwater. Be sure there is no visible bubbles in the water. Freeze thewater and it will crystallize.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to providea proper refrigerant and superheat for a piped system and an ice moldcombination to make a high-quality transparent ice cube having a centervoid of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble by usingone directional freezing or substantially one directional freezingthrough a wall of an ice mold. One embodiment of the present inventionuses a high superheat. Superheat is a calculated value by taking thedifference between two temperatures. First you find the actualtemperature of the refrigerant vapor and then you need the saturation orboiling point of that same refrigerant. The temperature that you measureon the refrigerant should be higher than what your boilingpoint/saturation point is on the refrigerant. If it is not, then youhave no superheat. Superheat can be determined by subtracting theboiling point/saturation point of the refrigerant from the actualtemperature of the refrigerant vapor. As an example, and not limitation,if you have a forty-five degrees boiling point and your actualrefrigerant temperature is at fifty degrees then you have a superheat often degrees. To saturation or boiling point temperature you will need touse the low side on refrigeration gauges set to measure the pressure ofthe evaporator. Once you have this pressure you can then convert it to atemperature either using a gauge or a PT conversion table. Oneembodiment of the present invention uses a superheat of between aboutten degrees Fahrenheit and about fifty degrees Fahrenheit and morepreferably about thirty degrees Fahrenheit.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is configuringthe system to purposely move the refrigeration piping. It is known byone of ordinary skill in the art that purposely oscillating, vibratingor in general moving the refrigeration piping is not recommended as itmay decrease the life of the refrigeration components including possibleleakage of the refrigeration pipe at the pipe joints. For this reason,ice cube machines are generally not engineered to purposely vibrate therefrigeration pipe. The present invention provides features to mitigatethis issue such as but not limited to a vibration isolator and brazingthe joints as the present invention contemplates all ways to mitigatethe damage to a refrigeration pipe by movement of the pipe and all waysfall into the scope of the present invention. There are many ways tojoin piping. Soldering, compression fittings, brazing, electricresistance joining, etc. One embodiment of the present inventionutilizes a nitrogen system flush and brazing utilizing an alloycontaining a chemical composition range of 3-15% silver.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention istransforming a larger transparent ice cube into smaller ice cubes and atvery high feed rate without cracking or chipping the smaller ice cubes.In one embodiment the saw has a speed of about 16 to about 133 surfacefeet per minute and two to ten teeth per inch and more ideally aboutthree teeth per inch to turn larger ice cubes. External interference isone cause of saw blade vibration. The vibration may shorten the usefullife of the saw blades, may increase saw path loss, may decrease sawingaccuracy and increase noise level especially at the high feed rate formass producing smaller ice cubes. Blade vibration also may be caused byan imbalance in the saw's weight distribution. One embodiment of thepresent invention has a circular blade that is weight balanced and hastwo to ten teeth per inch and spins at over fifty feet per second. Thesaw blade width is also important to reduce vibration and increasecutting accuracy when cutting small ice cubes. Therefore, all saws havea width of at least one half an inch and more preferably over one inch.All saw blades herein further have a thickness of about one quarter ofan inch or less. In one embodiment of the present invention a highpressure stream of air cuts the ice cube. There is no prior art for ahigh pressure system to cut ice cubes with air. In one embodiment of thepresent invention the air has an edible grit that aids in making cuts inice.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to providean evaporator (freezing surface) that helps distribute a properamplitude to water in each ice mold and that is configured for the wetenvironment of making ice cubes. Essentially, metal is elastic andtransmits vibrations easily while plastic is viscoelastic and does nottransmit vibrations nearly as well. The present invention contemplatesall metals having a well-organized crystalline lattice structure and allmaterial having a well-organized crystalline lattice structure fall intothe scope of the present invention. The method for obtaining thefrequencies and orthogonality relation for combined dynamical systems inwhich the Green Functions of the vibrating subsystems are used isapplied to a thick plate carrying concentrated masses. The effects oftransverse shear and rotary inertia of each mass is accounted for. It isdemonstrated that as the plate thickness goes to zero the results ofthin plate analysis are obtained. The Green Functions for both thin andthick vibrating plates are derived by modal analysis in the form ofinfinite series. Physically, the Green's Functions of the steady-statevibration equations are the deflection of its steady-state response dueto a unit concentrated harmonic stimulus acting at an arbitraryposition. With respect to one embodiment of the present invention whenusing Greens Functions the optimal metal thickness range to helpdistribute the amplitude to each ice mold is between one sixtieth of aninch and three eights of an inch thick. Further the footprint size ofthe freezing surface under the ice mold extends to the size or largerthan the size of the footprint of the ice mold. As an example, and notlimitation when the ice mold is ten inches by ten inches the freezingsurface will be at least ten inches by ten inches.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is meetingvarious USA and Canadian standards. One embodiment of the presentinvention meets the standards set forth in NSF/ANSI 2 Food Equipment,NSF/ANSI 7, Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers, NSF/ANSI 8,Commercial Powered Food Preparation Equipment and NSF/ANSI 12, AutomaticIce Making Equipment, all circa 2022. Further one embodiment meetsCanadian CSA C742-15, circa 2022.

Another aspect of one embodiment the present invention is to allow auser to change the ice molds so the system can make a variety ofdifferent shaped and sized transparent ice without needing a tool toremove the ice tray from a freezer compartment of a refrigerator andwithout removing the oscillation system from a freezer compartment. Mostautomatic ice makers are presently configured so only the manufacturercan change the ice cube mold. The removal of the ice cube tray the iceis made in is not part of the normal operation of these automatic icemakers. One embodiment of the present invention is configured so onlythe ice mold is removable from the transparent ice machine withouthaving to remove a segment of the water movement system from a freezercompartment of a refrigerator. This method helps reduce the chance ofthe ice cubes rejoining together as may be the case in other packagingmethods. The ice mold packaging is shown by way of example and notlimitation as the present invention envisions all ways to reduce thechance or more preferably prevent the ice cubes from rejoin togetherafter packaging.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to providea corrosive resistant evaporator or freezing surface having a corrosivepenetration rate less than five mils per year where the freezing surfacealso has a heat conductivity higher than fifteen watts per meter-Kelvinand the freezing surface provides a proper attenuation to helpdistribute a specified frequency and amplitude combination to multipleice molds. As an example, and not limitation, one embodiment of thepresent invention accomplishes this goal by using ceramic. To calculatethe corrosion rate is assuming uniform corrosion over the entire surfaceof the coupon. mpy=(weight loss in grams)*(22,300)/(Adt) mpy=corrosionrate (mils per year penetration) A=area of coupon (sq. in.) d=metaldensity of coupon (g/cm 3) t=time of exposure in corrosive environment(days).

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to providean ice tray the ice cubes are made in used as end user packagingeliminating the cost of repackaging associated with bulk ice cube salesand the rejoining of the ice cubes. There is no related art fortransparent ice cubes sold in the ice tray the ice cubes were made inexcept for one embodiment of the present invention. Also after the icecubes are cut into smaller ice cubes the smaller ice cubes in oneembodiment of the present invention are placed in a package withcavities to prevent the ice cubes from rejoining together. The tray isshown by way of example and not limitation as the present inventioncontemplates all ways to reduce the chance of ice cubes from rejoiningtogether and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the refrigeration system is havingthe proper sized refrigeration system (piping and compressor). It is thevelocity of the refrigerant that carries oil throughout the piping inone embodiment of the current invention. As oil clings to the sidewallsof the piping, refrigerant gas velocity sweeps small oil particles awayin suspension. As an example and not limitation in one embodiment thisis accomplished having a one half inch diameter pipe that carried arefrigerant and is about seventy feet long having a one half horsepowercompressor. The present invention contemplates all configurations andall configuration fall into the scope of the present invention. In oneembodiment this setup provides freezing an ice cube weighing over aboutfive pounds within a twenty four hour period. Freezing an ice cube toofast may result in an inferior transparent ice cube. This configurationfurther allows one embodiment of the present invention to produce atransparent ice cube having a center portion void of visiblecrystallization and void of a visible bubble weighing over five poundsin twenty four hour period.

Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention is to providean ice mold lid that compensates for the opposing BTUs freezing thewater. In one embodiment of the present invention, a lid covering theice molds is calibrated to the BTU output of the refrigeration systempiping under the molds to allow warm room temperature air above the lidto go through the lid to counter the BTUs in a refrigeration pipe underthe mold to prevent the top surface of the water from freezing beforethe water under the surface yet allows all of the water to eventuallyfreeze in the molds. As an example and not limitation one embodiment ofthe present invention accomplish this goal is by using a refrigerationsystem rated to deliver twenty-four hundred BTUs and rated with a roomair temperature of seventy degrees Fahrenheit subjected to the top ofthe lid and the lid having a thickness of less than 0.016 inches. Thepresent invention contemplates all ways to provide a lid thatcompensates for the BTU output and all ways fall into the scope of thepresent invention.

One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a water movement systemcomprising either an eccentric weight vibrator or a voice coil, or astepper motor, or a servo motor or an impact vibrator, electric motor,or a magnetic force. In one embodiment of the present invention, thewater weight, refrigeration piping weight if it is to be moved, the binweight if it is to be moved, etc., are added up and then the watermovement system is configured and calibrated to provide over one-halfpound of force for each pound of the total weight and more preferablyover one and a half pounds of force for each pound.

This Summary of the Invention is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. Statements in this disclosure are pertinent to the presentdisclosure and statements made in applicants prior applications arepertinent to only those disclosures unless otherwise noted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the freezing plate with a refrigerant piping system.

FIG. 3 is a view of a transparent ice cube mold showing a transparentice cube and a standard cloudy ice cube.

FIG. 4 is a view of a vibration system that uniformly delivers vibrationto multiple mold cavities.

FIG. 5 is a view of a mechanism that goes into an ice maker to make itautomatic.

FIG. 6 is a view of a combination transparent ice maker andrefrigerator.

FIG. 7 is a view of an ice tray and vibrator.

FIG. 8 is a view of configurations of a piping system.

FIG. 9 shows an electric motor cam configuration of a water movementsystem.

FIG. 10 shows different thermoelectric configurations.

FIG. 11 shows magnets creating a vortex in water.

FIG. 12 is an ice mold having different shaped cavities.

FIG. 13 is a section of an ice tray showing an undercut.

FIG. 14 shows a stepped embodiment of an ice mold having a lid.

FIG. 15 shows different piping configurations.

FIG. 16 shows different refrigeration configurations and transparent icecube configurations.

FIG. 17 shows different ways to transform a transparent ice cube intosmaller pieces.

FIG. 18 shows different tooth saw configurations.

FIG. 19 shows different saw tooth forms.

FIG. 20 shows how to make a round transparent ice cube with a hole inthe center through the spinning of the water.

FIG. 21 shows different pressure regions created in water.

FIG. 22 shows molecule alignment in an ice cube.

FIG. 23 shows different configurations of cutting apparatuses.

FIG. 24 is a method for producing transparent ice cubes.

FIG. 25 is a method for producing transparent ice cubes.

FIG. 26 is a method for producing transparent ice cubes.

DETAILED BRIEF OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows transparent ice cube maker 101 having, refrigeration pipe102 and compressor/assembly 100 and expansion valve 103 and highpressure/low pressure cut in-cut out control 106 and air moisturereducer 104 also known as a moisture filter or moisture drier, thatreduces or more preferably eliminates moisture in refrigeration pipe102. In one embodiment of the present invention expansion valve 103 iseither a thermal expansion valve, manual valve, an automatic expansionvalve, an electronic expansion valve, a low-pressure float valve, or ahigh-pressure float valve. A preferred expansion valve in one embodimentof the present invention is either an expansion valve with a capillarytube as shown or an automatic expansion valve. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, freezing surface plate 109 is an evaporator segmentof transparent ice maker 101. In one embodiment, the thermalconductivity of plate 109 is over 15 watts per meter-Kelvin and morepreferably over forty watts per meter-Kelvin. In one embodiment,compressor 100 is a reciprocating compressor or a V belt compressor. Oneembodiment of the present invention allows a small amount of oil tocirculate in the refrigeration pipe 102. In one embodiment of thepresent invention compressor assembly 100 has either a one halfhorsepower or three quarters horsepower motor with less than one inchoutside diameter piping and the piping 102 has a length of between sixtyand ninety feet to provide the proper movement of oil within therefrigeration piping. In one embodiment of the present inventionrefrigeration pipe 102 has a segment located between bin 108 andcompressor assembly 100 is insulated with a water resistant insulationhaving a thickness over about one quarter inch thick. From thisdescription one of ordinary skill in the art would know how to insulatethis segment of pipe 102. Expansion valve 103 is either an automaticexpansion valve, a thermostatic expansion valve, a float valve, low sidefloat valve, high side float valve, a capillary tube or an electronicexpansion valve. In one embodiment of the present invention there are atleast two or more expansion valve 103. In one embodiment of the presentinvention there are at least two or more expansion valve 103 where oneis located above the other. From reading this disclosure one of ordinaryskill in the art would know how to accomplish this goal. In oneembodiment of the present invention there are at least one expansionvalve 103 for each bin 108 where the bin 108 measures more than twentyfour inches by more than twenty four inches. One embodiment of thepresent invention has multiple bins with an expansion valve 103 for eachbin 108. In one embodiment of the present invention there are two bin108 side by side. One of ordinary skill in the art would know how toaccomplish is goal from this disclosure. In one embodiment of thepresent invention water is frozen in bin 108 from the bottom of the binto the top of the bin. This embodiment eliminates an ice mold. In thisembodiment it is preferably that the material of the bin 108 is madefrom a material having a chromium content of at least sixteen percentand a thermal conductivity of between about ten watts per meter-Kelvinand about twenty five watts per meter-Kelvin. In one embodiment of thepresent invention bin 108 is configured to hold water without leaking.In one embodiment this eliminates the need for a removable ice mold 111.Further this configuration provides for an ice cube (not shown) to havea substantially smooth and level sidewall before cutting the ice cube asthe sidewall of bin 108 in one embodiment of the present invention issubstantially smooth and level. One way this can be accomplished isforming bin 108 in one piece or sealing all seams and openings in bin108. The configuration of bin 108 to hold water is by way of example andnot limitation as the present invention envisions all ways for bin 108to hold water and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.This embodiment eliminates the need for a separate ice mold 111. In oneembodiment having multiple bin 108's, each bin 108 has an expansionvalve 103. In one embodiment bin 108 is configured to be watertighthaving a bottom wall 109 in FIG. 3 made out of at least sixteen percentchromium and configured to hold at least one gallon of water and morepreferably over ten gallons of water.

In one embodiment of the present invention the entire bid 108 has ametal surface and the metal has a corrosive penetration rate of lessthan five mils per year. One embodiment of the present invention has asegment of refrigeration pipe 102 having a diameter of a between onehalf and inch and one inch and another segment of refrigeration pipe 102has a diameter of about one quarter of an inch.

Cart 105 has vibration adjusters 107 (also known as vibration isolatorsor vibration dampeners), is shown in one embodiment of the presentinvention between cart 105 and bin 108. Vibration adjusters 107 areattached to any segment of transparent ice cube maker 101 includingvarious places on mold 111 and number between one, two, three, four ormore. Vibration isolators are important as they reduce the chance thejoints of the copper pipe leak from continual vibration. Vibrationadjustors 107 are shown by way of example and not limitation. Thepresent invention contemplates all configurations of vibration adjustors107 and all configurations and materials fall into the scope of thepresent invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, expansionvalve 103 is configured with compressor 100 to provide a superheat ofbetween ten and fifty-degrees Fahrenheit and most preferably aboutthirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the height of ice mold 111 is such that when an amplitude issubjected to water therein (not shown), water does not splash outsidemold 111. In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 isattached to insulating cover 114 and insulating cover 114 goes over bin108 and in one embodiment is configured to vibrate mold 111. In oneembodiment the cover 114 has a thermal resistance (R-Valve) of aboutfive and more preferably over ten. In one embodiment cover 114 has asurface made out of metal and insulation. In one embodiment there aretwo or more bin 108 and one bin is positioned over the other bin.

In one embodiment of the present invention, cover 114 is heated to heatthe top surface of water (not shown) in mold 111. In one embodiment,mold 111 is made from a plastic that is free from bisphenol A. In oneembodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is located underfreezing surface 109 and freezing surface 109 is made from corrosiveresistant material. In one embodiment of the present invention, cavities112 are made from either a thermoplastic polymer or an inorganic polymeror a fibrous material. One embodiment of the present invention providesthat cavities 112 are flexible. In one embodiment flexing is importantfor ease of releasing the ice (not shown) from the cavities 112.Cavities 112 can be one large cavity as a standalone mold or multiplecavities as shown. In one embodiment of the present invention, moldreceiver 110 sits atop freezing surface 109. Mold receiver 110 providesinsulation to the cavities 112 as cavities 112 insert into mold receiver110 so that when water (not shown) is put in the cavities 112 thecavities 112 touch a segment of the mold receiver 110 sidewalls 113. Themold receiver thus provides one directional freezing of water. The moldreceiver 110 is shown by way of example and not limitation as thepresent invention contemplates all ways to provide one directionalfreezing of water and all ways fall into the scope of the presentinvention. In one embodiment a segment refrigeration pipe 102 isinsulated. In one embodiment of the present invention insulated cover114 has a segment that is made in part of out of foam insulation boardor a material having a thermal conductivity less than ten watts permeter-Kelvin. In one embodiment of the present invention the insulationboard measures over one and one half inch thick. In one embodiment ofthe present invention mold 111 is untreated without a wax or othercoating. In one embodiment of the present invention cover 114 is madeout of plexiglass, see through plastic, plastic, metal or anothermaterial. In one embodiment a sidewall of cavities 112 will flex or bowout when filled with water while it is outside bin 108.

In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is attachedfirst to rigid metal plate 115B and then the rigid plate 115B isattached in various ways to the transparent ice maker 101. Nob 115Aallows a user to increase or decrease the frequency and amplitude.

FIG. 2 shows freezing surface 109 having refrigeration pipe 119. In oneembodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is located undermember plate 119A. Member plate 119A is made of plastic, rigid foam,metal, wood, or another material and is in a variety of shapes andsizes. In one embodiment of the present invention, member plate 119A isan insulator having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.55 watts permeter-Kelvin. Pipe 119 is a freezing surface. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, member plate 119A is a means to hold refrigerationpipe in thermal communication with surface 109 as one of the agitationdevices shown herein is operated. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, vibrator 115 oscillates refrigeration pipe 119. In oneembodiment of the present invention plate 119A has a thermal heatconductivity over forty watts per meter-Kelvin. In one embodiment of thepresent invention freezing surface 109 also known as a “upper plate” hasa corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year. Memberplate 119A keeps refrigeration pipe 119 in continual thermalcommunication with freezing surface 109 which in one embodiment is abottom wall portion of bin 108 in FIG. 1 .

Member plate 119A is located under refrigeration pipe 119 and thereforerefrigeration pipe 119 in one embodiment of the present invention islocated between member 119A and freezing surface 109. Vibrator 115 isshown under member 119A which in one embodiment of the present inventionvibrates refrigeration pipe 119, a refrigerant (not shown) insiderefrigeration pipe 119 and surface 109 simultaneously. In one embodimentof the present invention, water 200 is flavored. In one embodiment ofthe present invention refrigeration pipe 119 is configured to contactplate 119A. Member plate 119A is either made of metal having a corrosivepenetration rate of less than five mils per year or made from foaminsulation board measuring about one inch thick to about two inchesthick. Member plate 119A is shown by way of example and not limitationas member plate 119A has numerous shapes and sizes and all shapes andsizes fall into the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, refrigeration pipe 119 has aheater 120A to heat a refrigerant (not shown) in refrigeration pipe 119.In one embodiment of the present invention, liquid refrigeration line119D has a warm liquid or warm gas inside (not shown) so whenrefrigeration line 119D is placed in close proximity to refrigerationpipe 119 it heats a cold refrigerant (not shown) inside refrigerationpipe 119 to the degree it does not flow back to and freeze compressor100 in FIG. 1 and damage the compressor. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, a segment of refrigeration pipe 119 is heated withelectric heater 119E. In one embodiment of the present invention, heater119E is a heat warp and pulls less than six ampere. In one embodiment ofthe present invention heater 120A heats plate surface 109 to release anice cube (not shown) in bin 108 in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows transparent ice cube mold 130 made from an inorganicpolymer or a thermoplastic polymer having sidewalls 131 and bottom wall132 having a thickness of less than 0.090 inches or more preferable lessthan 0.070 inches and most preferably less than 0.040 inches when madeout of a polymer. In one embodiment of the present invention bottom wall132 is substantially smooth without creases. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the polymer is configured to be flexible so sidewalls131 flex when filled with water 133 when ice cube mold 130 is outside ofbin 108 in FIG. 1 Bottom wall 132. Heat is extracted through bottom wall132 and freezes water 133 from the bottom position A to top position Bof mold 130. Lid 130A covers transparent ice cube mold 130 to form aseal. In one embodiment of the present invention, the depth of mold 130is sufficient so when the stated amplitude is achieved water 133 willnot jump outside mold 130 when mold 130 is oscillated and mold 130 isnot covered by lid 130A. In one embodiment of the present invention,water droplet 135A jumps at least one eighth an inch in the air above atop water surface 135 when a proper amplitude is applied to water 133.Transparent ice cube 133A has air bubble molecule 133B which is actuallymicroscopic so it cannot be seen but blown up to see for thisdisclosure, and center 134C. Text W 134 D is behind transparent ice cube133A and is clearly visibly void of visible crystallization in thecenter 134C and center 134C is void of a visible bubble. Handle 135Cgoes into water 133 as water 133 phase-transforms or is attached towater 133 after it phase-transforms into ice 133A. 135D is a flavoradded to water 133. Standard ice cube 140B has crystallization 140C inits center portion. This represents the crystallization found in an icecube made without one directional freezing. In one embodiment, lid 130Ais calibrated to compensate for opposing BTUs and the thickness of thelid is less than 0.040 inches and more preferably less than 0.020 incheswhere the lid is made from a thermoplastic polymer having a thermalconductivity less than 0.055 watts per meter-Kelvin. This allows heat togo through the lid keeping the top surface of the water from freezingbefore water under the top surface freezes. As shown in one embodimentof the present invention sidewalls 131 is “formed” in the moldingprocess to be about ninety degrees in relationship to bottom wall 132.Another way to explain it is the sidewalls 131 and bottom wall 132 makeabout an L shape. Sidewalls 131 are smooth and therefore the ice cube(not shown) will have substantially smooth and level sidewalls withoutcutting as seen with systems that use “liners” for a mold. This moldconfiguration saves a considerable amount of time in producing atransparent ice cube. In one embodiment of the present invention bottomwall 132 is made out a polymer having a thermal conductivity of morethan one hundred watts per meter-Kelvin and a thickness of less thanabout two inches and stretchable and therefore reusable as it can bepealed from the ice cube (not shown) therein. In one embodiment of thepresent invention mold 130 is configured without sidewalls 131. In oneembodiment of the present invention Lid 130A is hinged to mold 130. Inone embodiment mold 130 and lid 130A are used as packaging for smallerice cubes disclosed herein. Mold 130 keeps smaller ice cubes when warmedand refrozen from sticking together. In one embodiment mold 130 is madeout of a fibrous substance. In one embodiment of the present inventionsidewalls 131 are packaging dividers to keep ice cubes herein fromjoining together when warmed and then refrozen. The word “formed” hereinmeans made through a vacuum forming or press process.

FIG. 4 shows impact vibrator 126 having pistons 127. In one embodimentof the present invention, the number of pistons 127 equal, the number ofcavities 128 having water therein (not shown) in ice mold 129. In otherwords, if there are 100 cavities 128, there are 100 pistons, 127. In oneembodiment of the present invention, freezing surface 109 is locatedbetween transparent ice mold 129 and pistons 127. Pistons 127 areconfigured to hit freezing surface 109 at the exact spot cavities 128are located above at the exact same time or at different times or todirectly impact the bottom of a mold disclosed herein. This providesthat the amplitude is delivered to each of the multiple cavities 128about uniformly. Opening 129A receives freezing pipe 119 in FIG. 2 or arefrigerant (not shown). In one embodiment, vibrator 115 is shownattached to freezing surface 109. In one embodiment, pistons 127 arecontrolled by a microprocess (not shown) so all the pistons 127 fire atdifferent times. The present invention contemplates all ways to firepistons 127 at different times or at different forces and all ways fallinto the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of thepresent invention pistons 127 are configured to provide an amplitude towater (not shown) so a droplet of water jumps above the top surface ofthe water.

FIG. 5 shows mold 120 has cavities 121. Fill source 121 may beconfigured to add water (not shown) to cavities 121 in a metered dose.In one embodiment of the present invention, the water is metered alittle at a time into cavities 121 as the water oscillates or vibrates.Refrigeration pipe 122 is oscillated with cam mechanism 123 and watermovement device 124 that simultaneously moves refrigeration pipe 122 andcavities 121. In one embodiment of the present invention, refrigerationpipe 122 is shown under each cavity 121. If the refrigeration pipe 121were only directly under some of cavities 121 the water (not shown) ineach of the cavities 121 would phase-transform at a different rate.

FIG. 6 shows combination ice cube maker and refrigerator 136 havingfreezing surface 137 that in one embodiment of the present invention,mold 111 sits atop or in close proximity of two inches or closer. Mold111 is vented to room temperature where the room temperature is abovefreezing or vented inside an area of refrigerator 136 that is abovefreezing. In one embodiment of the present invention, freezercompartment 138 is shown vented to room temperature which allows abovefreezing air from outside of refrigerator 136 to keep the temperatureabove mold 111 warm enough so the water does not phase-transform fromthe top of mold 111 by cold air above mold 111. Vibration Isolator 137Aaids in the distribution of vibrations or oscillations to mold 111.

FIG. 7 shows ice tray 200 having lid 201 that snaps into inserts 203 toprovide a seal to reduce the chance of water 204 splashing outsidecavities 205 when the water 204 is vibrated or oscillated. In oneembodiment of the present invention ice tray 200 and lid 201 ispackaging for smaller ice cubes 1627 in FIG. 16 . The packaging keepssmaller ice cubes when warmed from joining together when they refreeze.The lid is configured to stay covered over the smaller ice cubes until auser (not shown) manually removes the lid. This configuration eliminatesthe need for a food wax coating. The way the lid stays in place until auser manually removes the lid is shown by way of example and notlimitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to keep a lidattached to an ice mold until a user manually removes it and all waysfall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of thepresent invention the lid has a thickness greater than the ice tray.

In one embodiment of the present invention, ice tray 200 is made ofplastic and has a bottom wall 207 having a thickness of 0.070 inches orless 0.040 inches. In one embodiment of the present invention, bottomwall 207 is made of metal having a chromium content of sixteen percentor more or copper or another metal and sidewalls 206 are made of apolymer. In one embodiment of the present invention, from position topAB to position bottom BB there is at least a one-degree tapper and mostpreferably two degrees tapper but less than four degrees tapper. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the distance between AB to BB iscalibrated to an amplitude so water droplets do not jump outside icetray 200 when vibrated or oscillated. As an example, and not limitation,if a water droplet jumps four inches the depth from position AB toposition BB is over four inches deep. When describing the height of theice cubes in certain embodiments of the present invention the height ofthe cubes is measured from freezing an ice cube from a bottom positionBB to a top position AB within an ice mold such as but not limited toice mold tray 200.

In one embodiment of the present invention, ice tray 200 is configuredto mold receiver 110 in FIG. 1 so the cavities 205 fit snuggly into moldreceiver 110.

In one embodiment of the present invention, vibrator 115 is attached toice tray 200. Label 208 has the name (not shown) of the entity thatmakes the transparent ice cubes (not shown). In a novel approach the icecubes (not shown) made in tray 200 are sold in the same ice tray 200 tothe end user. Most commercial producers of ice cubes remove the icecubes from an ice maker and repackage them. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, a non-acholic flavor 209 is provided to water 204.

In one embodiment of the present invention, handle 211 is attached totransparent ice treat 212. The Handel 211 is made of a variety ofmaterial in a variety of configurations and most preferably made from atransparent material. In one embodiment of the present invention, handle211 is placed in opening 210 so when water 204 phase-transforms, handle211 attaches to the ice treat 212. The attachment of the handle is anillustration and not limitation and there are various ways to attach.One of ordinary skill in the art knows how to attach a handle 211 to icetreat 212. In one embodiment of the present invention, sidewalls 206 areconfigured to have a thickness of plastic to provide heat conductivityof less than 0.55 watts per meter-Kelvin (W/m-K). In one embodiment ofthe present invention, opening 210 allows heat to go through lid 201.Opening 210 is small enough to reduce the chance of a droplet fromjumping outside cavities 205.

In one embodiment of the present invention, metal plate 301 goes betweenbottom wall 207 and fan 300 and bottom wall 207 contacts metal plate301. Fan 300 wicks away air under cavities 205 that has been warmed bywater 204 in cavities 205. Fan 300 has batteries or operated on a directcurrent or alternating current. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, fan 300 is configured to provide different fan speeds. In oneembodiment of the present invention, ice tray 200 is configured to becrushable or compressible or flexible using one quarter pound per squareinch of pressure or placing a one-pound weight on the bottom wall oftray 200. In one embodiment of the present invention, sidewalls 206 arethicker than bottom wall 207. In one embodiment, sidewalls 206 flex whenwater is added. The present invention contemplates all configurationsand materials of ice tray 200 and all configurations and materials ofice tray 200 fall into the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows Ice molds 700 having water 701 inside. In one embodiment,the ice molds 700 sit atop freezing surface 702 and in one embodiment,ice molds 700 are within one half of one inch from freezing surface 702.Refrigeration pipe 703 has an angle over two degrees to elbow 704 whichallows refrigeration pipe 705 to angle over two degrees and morepreferably about forty-five degrees up or down to elbow 706. Applicantcalls this a W refrigeration pipe pattern. This embodiment of arefrigeration piping arrangement allows more equivalent length of pipingto be placed between a freezing surface 702 and bottom structure 707. Inone embodiment, refrigeration pipe 704 is located directly under water701 in ice mold 700. In one embodiment of the present inventionrefrigeration pipe 704 is jointed together with elbow 706 using three tofifteen percent silver.

FIG. 9 shows electric motor 800 having arm 801 attached to cam 803 whichwhen arm 801 spins cam 803 moves arm 804 which moves freezing surface805 up and down agitating water 806 in ice mold 807. Chop 806A is shownon surface of water 806. When the amplitude is increasing a waterdroplet (not shown) jumps above the top surface 805. In one embodiment,there are two segments of refrigeration pipe 808 under the water 806 inice mold 807 and this provides more BTUs or a more uniform freezing ofwater 806 in mold 807. 809 is an oval shape refrigeration pipe 808. Inone embodiment of the present invention, freezing surface 810 hasopening 811 where a refrigerant (not shown) flows inside freezingsurface 810. In one embodiment, the distance between mm and dd is lessthan five eights of an inch and over one quarter of an inch. Openings811 are considered a refrigeration pipe bored into freezing surface 810.

FIG. 10 shows thermoelectric pad 1000. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, thermoelectric pad 1000 is placed on top of thermoelectricpad 1001. In one embodiment of the present invention, athermo-conductive paste 1003 is applied to the top surface of pad 1000or the underside FF of freezing surface 1002. Transparent ice cube 1004has a weight of less than six ounces. Cube 1007 has a draft from lessthan ten percent and more preferably less than five percent and morepreferably a draft of less than three percent from top position GG tobottom position XX. In one embodiment of the present invention, the topportion 1008 has a draft of less than five percent and more preferablyless than three percent from top position FO to top position FT. Icecube 1009A represents a standard nontransparent ice cube made withoutone directional freezing with crystallization 1009. An ice cube producedby the present invention is void of visible crystallization 1009 at thecenter as shown by center portion 1011 of ice cube 1007 and void of avisible bubble In one embodiment thermo-conductive paste 1003 is placedbetween plate 109 and refrigeration pipe 119 in FIG. 2 . This is not forthermo-conductivity but because in one embodiment pipe 119 is copper andplate 109 is made of a different material when two dissimilar metalmaterial meet they can corrode. The paste makes a thin barrier to deducethe charge of the two materials from corroding or reduces corroding.

FIG. 11 shows in one embodiment, mold 1100 having magnet 1102 on eitherside of mold 1100 which creates a vortex in water 1103 inside mold 1100when a metal object (not shown) is placed in water. In one embodiment,ultraviolet light 1104 is positioned to provide ultraviolet light towater 1103 or water in any molds disclosed herein. In one embodiment,light source 1105 heats the top surface of water 1103. In one embodimentof the present invention, light source 1105 provides an infrared light.In one embodiment, light source 1105 provides a concentrated light beamto cut an ice cube shown herein.

FIG. 12 shows ice tray 1200 having square shaped cavity 1201 and roundshaped cavity 1202 and triangle shaped cavity 1203. Ice tray 1200 isshown by way of example and not limitation as ice tray 1200 contemplatesall combinations of shapes and sized cavities in one ice tray.Transparent ice cube 1204 has a draft of less than five percent and morepreferably less than three percent and most preferably less than twopercent, from top position AZ to bottom position AX and transparent icecube 1204 measures over one and one quarter inch tall. Transparent icecube 1205 is in the shape of an initial N. The present invention makesall shaped and sized initials and nonagon, octagon, heptagon, triangle,scalene triangle, right triangle, parallelogram, rhombus, square,pentagon, circle, oval, heart, cross, arrow, cube, cylinder, star,crescent and various animal and other shapes. In one embodiment, watersubmersible pump 1206 moves water in bin 1208 with inlet pipe 1207 andoutlet pipe 1209 to form ice cube 1008. A hinge 1211A opens bin 1208. Inone embodiment, bid 1208 is configured to tilt so ice slides out. Hinge1211A is shown by way of example and not limitation as the presentinvention contemplates all ways to open bin 1208 and all ways fall intothe scope of the present invention. In one embodiment bin 1208 isconfigured to replace bin 108 in FIG. 1 and has an insulating cover 114in FIG. 1 . In one embodiment of the present invention bin 1208 hassidewalls made out of a material having a thermal conductivity of lessthan fifteen watts per meter-Kelvin and more preferably less than twowatts per meter-Kelvin.

The present inventions ice cube heights or how tall they are is theheight an ice cube produced in an ice mold 1210 from one directionalfreezing and is measured from the one direction. As an example, it isfrom position LL to position MM of ice mold 1210 when a freezing source1213 is under bin 1210. Ice cube 1112 made in a bin 1211 that has beenfrozen using one directional freezing by the freezing surface 1213 underbin 1211. As an example the height is only one half of an inch fromposition CC to position PP that phase-transforms water from thisposition yet has a length of four inches from position KK to position OOand then the short ice cube is turned on its side to claim it is fourinches tall.

FIG. 13 shows a lip segment 1300 of an ice mold. The lid 1301 is securedto mold body with undercut 1303.

FIG. 14 shows mold 1403 having a first step 1405 and a second step 1402and a lid 1403 that has a first step 1404 and a second step 1405 so whenlid 1403 covers mold 1403 to help reduce the chance of water 1406splashing outside mold 1403 when water 1406 is vibrated, or agitated oroscillated, or moved and more preferably prevents water 1406 fromsplashing outside mold 1403. In one embodiment, spinning mechanism 1408spins mold 1403. Spinning mechanism 1408 is shown by way of example andnot limitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to spin amold as the water therein freezes and all ways fall into the scope ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15 shows refrigeration pipe 1500 wrapped or coiled around sidewall1503 which is also a freezing surface. In one embodiment, thermoelectriccooler 1504 is attached to a sidewall 1503 of freezing surface 1502. Inone embodiment, an ice mold 1505 is inside freezing surface 1502 and inthis embodiment water (not shown) is only in ice mold 1505. Theembodiment is shown having three coils around freezing surface 1502 andother embodiments have more than three coils. The coil location is shownby way of example and not limitation. The coils or wrapping of therefrigeration pipe 1500 is in other locations on ice maker 101 in FIG. 1. Sidewall 1508 shows the underside of freezing surface 1506. In oneembodiment, there is insulation 1509 between refrigeration pipe 1507 andsidewall 1508. See through ice mold 1510 has refrigeration pipe 1511under bottom surface 1512 and phase-transforms water 1513. In oneembodiment the insulation is configured around refrigeration pipe 1511and is about one quarter of an inch or thicker.

FIG. 16 . Liquid refrigeration pipe 1601 has liquid drier (aka moisturefilter) 1611 and moisture liquid indicator 1612. Suction pipe 1613 hasthreaded end 1613A and has suction moisture drier 1616 and oil pressurecontrol heat exchange suction accumulator 1615. In one embodiment, water1622 flows over or on freezing surface 1623. In one embodiment freezingsurface 1623 is combined with bin 108 in FIG. 1 . One embodiment hashigh low cut in cut off device 1632. After transparent ice cube 1624 isproduced having a center 1625 void of visible crystallization and voidof visible bubbles and void of a visible crack. In one embodiment of thepresent invention ice cube 1624 is placed on jarring machine 1626 thatmoves up and down or sideways breaking apart ice cube 1624 into smallerice pieces 1627. The present invention does not crush the ice cubes forcrushing leaves visible fractures in the ice. In one embodiment, icepieces 1627 are sorted through ice sifter 1628 so only a selected numberof pieces 1627 are packaged in package 1630. Pieces 1627 are not all thesame shape and have a center void of a visible bubble and void ofvisible crystallization. In one embodiment, vibrator 115 in FIG. 1 or anoscillator shown in FIG. 9 moves a segment of jarring machine 1626 tobreak apart ice cube 1624. In one embodiment, in one embodiment pump1621 is configured as a glycol pump. In one embodiment pump 1621 pumpswater. In one embodiment pump 1621 is configured to provide watermovement by churning water in bin 108 in FIG. 1 . One of ordinary skillin the art would know how to accomplish this goal from this disclosure.Breaking ice cube 1624 is jarring machine 1626 which reduces the chanceof ice cube fracture that striking said ice cube causes. Jarring machine1626 is shown by way of example and not limitation as the presentinvention contemplates all ways to break apart and ice cube withoutcrushing it and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention.Jarring machine 1626 may operate with hydraulics, vibrator 115 (notshown), oscillation in FIG. 9 , or other means and the present inventioncontemplates all embodiments of jarring machine 1626 and all embodimentsfall into the scope of the present invention. Sifter 1628 is shown byway of example and not limitation. The present invention contemplatesall ways to take a percentage of said smaller ice cubes and package themand take a percentage of said smaller ice cubes and discard them and allways fall into the scope of the present invention. One embodiment of thepresent invention uses a 1631 laser for precision sawing of the smallerice cubes in FIG. 23 . A high pressure cutter 1631 shown with one ormore cutting nozzles to cut and ice cube disclosed here. On embodimentuses a grit (not shown) and another embodiment uses a grit that isnon-harmful when ingested. One type of grit used in the currentinvention is granulated salt. Another embodiment of the presentinvention uses a sand grit. The salt is by way of example and notlimitation. The present invention contemplates all non-harmful grit andall non-harmful grit falls into the scope of the present invention.There is no known art for a high pressure cutter that is configured toeffective cut ice cubes except for one embodiment of the presentinvention. Plasma style pressure cutters would melt the ice cube.

FIG. 17 shows transparent ice cube 1700 going through rotatingmechanisms 1701 that breaks ice cube 1700 into smaller ice pieces 1704having center 1705 that is void of visible crystallization and void of avisible bubble. In one embodiment heated surface 1706 comes down overtransparent ice cube 1707 without a sawing motion into smaller pieces.In one embodiment, mechanism 1701 is heated. One embodiment of thepresent invention saw 1709 is positioned substantially horizontal to cutice cube 1707 and saw 1709 is positioned substantially vertical to cutice cube 1707. The transparent ice cube pieces 1710 have a centerportion 1711 that is void of visible crystallization and void of visiblebubbles. Robot 1712 automatically moves ice cube 1713 to saws 1709 and1708 and also performs various other automated functions to make icecube 1713. In one embodiment, robot 1712 automatically places ice cube1713 in package 1714. Robot 1712 is shown by way of example and notlimitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to automatemaking transparent ice cubes including artificial intelligence and allways fall into the scope of the present invention. The saw is made outof about 0.05 up to 2.1 percent carbon, or comprised of eithermolybdenum, or nickel, or the most preferred material has sixteenpercent or chromium or more. In one embodiment, surface 1706 is heatedand made having over fourteen percent chromium. In one embodiment,surface 1706 has a chromium content of sixteen percent and a maximum of0.16 percent carbon. Saw 1709 is shown by way of example and notlimitation. Grid 1706 is shown by way of example and not limitation. Thepresent invention contemplates all ways to transform ice cube 1713 intosmaller ice cubes from heat and other means and all ways fall into thescope of the present invention. In one embodiment, grid 1706 isconfigured to provide a high concentration of water (water jet) or airstream to transform ice cube 1713 into smaller ice cubes 1710. In oneembodiment, the smaller ice cubes 1710 are less than six ounces each.Ice cube 1713 has eight sides and all eight sides are substantiallylevel. grid 1706 is shown by way of example and not limitation as thepresent invention contemplates all ways to cut an ice cube with aconcentrated steam of air and all ways fall into the scope of thepresent invention. In one embodiment of the present invention robot 1712is configured to feed ice cube 1707 into a saw blade disclosed herein.In one embodiment robot feeding an ice cube into blades is by way ofexample and not limitation as the present invention contemplates allways to feed or automatically feed an ice cube into one or more sawblades disclosed herein and all ways are contemplated by the presentinvention and fall within the scope of the present invention. Ice cube1713 is shown with at least one surface that is substantially level andis shown void of a visible crack therein. In one embodiment of thepresent invention robot 1712 is configured to operate using electricity.In one embodiment of the present invention robot 1712 is an electricaldevice that operates on four or five or more axis. In one embodimentrobot 1712 is configured or programed to feed ice cube 1713 into blades2301 in FIG. 23 at over about five to fifty feet per minute and morepreferably over ten feet per minute. The feed rate (speed) is importantso as not to chip or crack the smaller ice cubes 1710. Robot 1712 isshown by way of example and not limitation as the present inventioncontemplates all ways to feed ice cube 1713 into blades 2301 and allways fall into the scope of the present invention. In one embodimentrobot 1712 is configured to cut the ice cube 1710.

FIG. 18 shows tooth set raker 1800 with 3 tooth sequence with a uniformset angle (Left, Right, Straight). Modified raker 1802 has 5 or 7 toothsequence with a uniform set angle (Left, Right, Left, Right, Straight).Variable Raker 1803 has a tooth sequence independent of the tooth pitchand product family. Alternate 1804 shows every tooth is set in analternating sequence. Wavy 1805 has groups of teeth set to each sidewithin the overall set pattern. The teeth have varying amounts of set ina controlled pattern. Variable set 1806 shows the tooth height/setpattern varies with product family and pitch. Single Level Set 1807 hasa blade geometry with a single tooth height dimension. Setting thisgeometry requires bending each tooth at the same position with the sameamount of bend on each tooth. Dual Level Set 1808 blade geometry hasvariable tooth height dimensions. Setting this product requires bendingeach tooth to variable heights and set magnitudes in order to achievemultiple cutting planes.

FIG. 19 shows variable positive teeth 1900, variable teeth 1901,standard teeth 1902, skip teeth 1903 and hook teeth 1904. A preferredembodiment uses skip teeth 1902 and more preferable standard teeth 1902and more preferable veritable teeth 1901 and most preferably positiveteeth 1900.

FIG. 20 shows ice maker 2000 having a cylinder-shaped freezing surface2002 and a removable wall 2010 prevents water 2003 from splashingoutside cavity 2007 when device 2004 spins water 2003 against freezingsurface 2002. In one embodiment, device 2004 is heated. It is preferablethat the diameter of device 2004 is between one sixtieth of an inch andone half of an inch and the diameter can be any size. Refrigeration pipe2001 is secured to the backside of freezing surface 2002. In oneembodiment, heater 2014 heats the underside of bottom wall 2011. In oneembodiment, heater 2014 heats lid 2010 or the backside of freezingsurface 2002 or the bottom of bin 108 in FIG. 1 . To help release an icecube (not shown) therein. In one embodiment, heater 2005 heats thebackside of freezing surface 2002 to release an ice cube 2008. Theheater to release and ice cube is shown by way of example and notlimitation. The present invention contemplates all ways to release anice cube from a mold and all ways fall into the scope of the presentinvention. Ice maker 2000 provides substantially one directionalfreezing and more preferably one directional freezing of water 2003 fromfreezing surface 2002 towards device 2004. In one embodiment, robot 1712in FIG. 17 is configured to mechanically insert device 2004 into water2003 and mechanically remove device 2004 from water 2003 in stepsupwards as the water freezes. The present invention contemplates allways to insert device 2004 into water and all ways fall into the scopeof the present invention. Device 2004 has one or more openings 2015 toeither circulate water in an ice mold disclosed within this disclosureor inject air into an ice mold within this disclosure. In oneembodiment, cavity 2007 is pressurized so water 2003 is pressurized whenvibrated, oscillated, or spun. In one embodiment, two devices 2004 areinserted into ice mold 2016 and water 2017 is circulated in ice mold2016. As the water 2003 freezes, robot 1712 in FIG. 17 moves device 2004in and out of ice mold 2016. In one embodiment, openings 2015 provide aconcentrated water steam or concentrated air steam to transform ice cube2008 into smaller ice cubes (not shown). In one embodiment, an ice cube2008 is placed in ice maker 2000 to tumble said ice cube to make intosmaller ice cubes. In one embodiment air that goes through device 2004is at a temperature less than sixty degrees Fahrenheit and morepreferably less than about fifty degrees Fahrenheit. In one embodimentdevice 2004 is configured to inject water into ice mold 2016 causing anagitation of the water as it forms layers.

FIG. 21 shows ice mold 2100 having water 2101 and ice formation 2102 asrefrigeration pipe 2103 freezes water 2101. In one embodiment, water2103 is vibrated or oscillated so water droplets 2104 jump above surface2105. In one embodiment, water 2203 is vibrated or oscillated to createpressure region 2106 and pressure region 2107. The pressure at pressureregion 2107 is such that it will not freeze a visible air bubble 2108 atpressure region 2107. In one embodiment of the present invention, alayer of ice is formed in the tray prior to vibration, oscillation, orair injection. An initial layer of ice to form prior to initiatingvibration or oscillation prevents flash freezing of the ice or formationof a slurry.

FIG. 22 shows Ice cube 2200 having air molecules 2201 in alignment whichcauses crystallization 2204 in center 2203. The present invention isconfigured to disrupt the alignment as shown in ice cube 2202 to preventcrystallization 2204 in center 2206 of ice cube 2205 so only airmolecules 2201 are in center 2207 of ice cube 2203 which is void ofvisible crystallization 2204 and void of visible air bubble 2208.Sidewall 2209 is substantially straight from top to bottom as is the topof the ice cube. Ice cube 2200 is frozen to height without having tovacuum water from the top of an uneven ice block. See citation CB300X2Manual “excess water and impurities are removed from the top of theblock . . . ” and US Patent Publication No. 2022/0243971 to Harrell,“suitable devices to remove the excess water from the mold.”

FIG. 23 shows gang saw 2300 having blades 2301 that have sixteen percentchromium or more or a high carbon content or made of a polymer. Blade2304 is substantially horizontal and blade 2305 is substantiallyvertical to cut ice cube 2306 into pieces 2307 having a center that isvoid of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble 2108. Icecube 2106 is also shown having a substaically level surface and novisible cracking inside the ice cube. Rod 2302 has circular saws 2303that operate at over feet per second. In one embodiment saws 2303 have adiameter over five inches. All saws are shown by way of example and notlimitation as the present invention contemplates ways to cut small icecubes smoothly and all such saws fall into the scope of the presentinvention. Blade 2308 is configured substantially vertically. In oneembodiment blade 2308 has a width over one quarter of an inch and morepreferable a width of one half of an inch or more. In one embodiment thethickness of blade 2308 is less than one quarter of an inch. In oneembodiment of the present invention blade 2308 is configured to have aspeed over fifty linear feet per second. In one embodiment of thepresent invention blades 2003 are configured to spin at over twenty fiveand more preferably over fifty feet per second. In one embodiment of thepresent invention either blade 2308 or blade 2303 have two to ten teethangled per inch. In one embodiment of the present invention amicroprocessor (not shown) inside gang saw 2300 operates saws 2303and/or blade 2308. In one embodiment of the present invention twovertically posited blades 2308 are spaced less than two and one halfinches apart and in one embodiment of the present invention twovertically positioned blades 2303 blades are positioned less than twothree inches apart, and in one embedment of the present invention blades2301 are positioned less than three inches apart. In one embodiment ofthe present invention gang saw 2300 has a sensor that stops blades 2301from moving in case blade malfunction or if anything other than ice or aplastic mold herein is next to blades 2301. In one embodiment of thepresent invention gang saw 2300 is configured into a band saw or areciprocating saw. In one embodiment of the present invention two blades2308 are configured as a band saw and are spaced less than two and threequarters of an inch apart. In one embodiment of the present inventionthe spacing of the blades are adjustable. Blades 2301 are configured toslip off the end of rod 2302 to replace blades 2301. The replacement ofblades 2301 is shown by illustration and not limitation as the presentinvention contemplates all ways to replace blades 2301 and all ways fallinto the scope of the present invention. This includes but not limitedto rod 2302 having various threaded sections that when unthreadedreleases the blades 2301, snap on, screw on and two piece blades. In oneembodiment blades 2301 has a width of one half an inch or more and athickness of about one quarter of an inch or less. Ring 2303A holdblades 2301 on rod 2302. Ring 2303A are shown by way of example and notlimitation as the present invention contemplates all ways to keep theblades attached and removable from rod 2302 and all ways fall into thescope of the present invention. One embodiment of the ring is threadedand one embodiment of rod 2302 is threaded so ring 2303A screws onto rod2302 to hold the in place. The ring also keeps blades 2301 from wobblingwhen they are spinning at over fifty feet per minute. In one embodimenta segment of rod 2302 and blades 2303 are configured to be replaceableSmaller ice cubes 2307 have a center portion void of a visible crack,void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble. In oneembodiment of the present invention the spacing between blades 2301 isadjustable and rod 2302 is adjustable up and down. In one embodimentthere are between five and fifteen blades 2303. In one embodiment rod2302 is configured with between a two horsepower motor and a fortyhorsepower motor and more preferably a ten horsepower motor. In oneembodiment of the present invention gang saw 2300 operates with betweena two horsepower motor and a forty horsepower motor and more preferablya ten horsepower motor but any size horsepower may be used. Vibration ismost commonly measured using a ceramic piezometric sensor oraccelerometer. Most accelerometers rely on the use of piezoelectriceffect, which occurs when a voltage is generated across certain types ofcrystals as they are stressed. Vibration magnitude is given in units ofm/s to the second power. It is preferably that the vibration of blades2301 to cut ice cubes is less than about 5.3 m/s to the second powermore preferably less than 2.1 m/s to the second power. One way to reduceblade vibration is through having a ring 2303A about half the sized ofthe diameter of the blades 2303. The reduction of vibration is shown byway of example and not limitation as the present invention contemplatesall ways including but not limited to materials used and thickness ofthe blades and all ways fall into the scope of the present invention. Inone embodiment cut ice cube 2306 weighs over ten pounds. Ring 2303A isshown by way of example and not limitation as the present inventioncontemplates all shapes, sizes and configuration to keep the blades 2301on rod 2302 and also to reduce vibration and all fall into the scope ofthe present invention. Therefore in one embodiment of the presentinvention the blades configuration provides that an ice cube is fed intothe blades at over five feet per minute and more preferably over tenfeet per minute and not develop a crack in the ice cube when cut.

FIG. 24 shows in one embodiment steps to produce a transparent ice cube.

FIG. 25 shows in one embodiment steps to produce a transparent ice cube.

FIGS. 26 shows in one embodiment steps to produce a transparent icecube.

All embodiment components in a figure herein are exchangeable with otherembodiment components herein to form a separate embodiment. The presentinvention contemplates all ways to automate making transparent icecubes, including but limited to conveyors, microprocessors, artificialintelligence, and all fall into the scope of the present invention.

The sequence in the method claims do not necessarily need to be in anyexact order unless otherwise specified.

This Detailed Brief of the Preferred Embodiments is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims or any part of the present inventions multipleembodiments disclosed or not disclosed.

We claim:
 1. A transparent ice cube making apparatus, comprising: a first module having a compressor assembly component configured to use a refrigerant with a boiling point lower than minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit; an expansion valve component; a bin component; an inline moisture reducer component; a cover component that covers the bin component; an ice mold component made out of a polymer having water therein; an agitation device component; a copper refrigeration pipe component located between a bottom plate portion of the bin component and a lower plate component, the lower plate component keeping the refrigeration pipe in continual thermal communication with the bottom plate as the agitation device component agitates the water, the bottom plate having a thermal conductivity of over 40 watts per meter-Kelvin and a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year, wherein the apparatus is configured to freeze water substantially in one direction through a bottom wall of the ice mold to a top position of the ice mold and produce an ice cube weighing over five pounds within a 24-hour period with a center portion that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble; and a second module with three or more vertically positioned replaceable blades, the blades having at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch, the blades spaced less than about three inches apart, the blades configured to operate at over 30 feet per second, and the blades having a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less, wherein the second module is configured to cut the ice cube into smaller ice cubes having a center portion void of a visible crack.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ice cube is fed into the blades at over five feet per minute.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades have a speed of over about 50 feet per second and the blades are configured to have a vibration of less than 5.3 m/s to the second power.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades are configured to a rod, the blades are removable from the rod, and the rod is further configured to spin.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ring on a rod keeps the blades on the rod until the blades are removed from the rod.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a segment of the second module or a segment of a third module has a horizontally positioned blade and the blade has at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch and has a width of about one half an inch or more and a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a mechanical device feeds the ice cube into the blades at a speed of over about five feet per minute.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades are circular in shape and attached to a removable rod.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ice mold is formed having four defined sidewalls that are about 90 degrees in relationship to the bottom wall of the ice mold, the bottom wall has a thermal conductivity of less than 1.6 watts per meter-Kelvin and a thickness of less than about 0.070 inches, and the sidewalls are further configured to flex prior to insertion into the bin component when the ice mold is filled with water.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rod is configured to move up and down vertically.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a packaging module, wherein the smaller ice cubes do not join together when packaged, subjected to a warm temperature, and refrozen, and the package module further comprising a lid configured to cover the smaller ice cubes until the lid is manually removed.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bin component is configured to hold water.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blades are adjustable to increase or decrease a distance between the blades.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a sidewall of the bin component is configured to open and close to release the ice cube from the bin component.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bin component has a sidewall made of a material with a thermal conductivity of less than about two watts per meter-Kelvin.
 16. A transparent ice cube making apparatus, comprising: a first module with a compressor assembly component configured to use a refrigerant having a boiling point lower than minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit; an expansion valve component; an inline moisture reducer component; a cover that covers a bin component; an ice mold component made out of a polymer having water therein; an agitation device component; the transparent ice cube making apparatus is further configured to freeze the water substantially in one direction through a bottom wall of the ice mold to a top position of the ice mold, a copper refrigeration pipe component located between a bottom plate portion of the bin component; a lower member component configured to keeps the copper refrigeration pipe component in thermal communication with the bottom plate as the water agitates, the bottom plate having a thermal conductivity of over 40 watts per meter-Kelvin and a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year, wherein each component is configured together to produce an ice cube weighing over five pounds having a center portion that is void of visible crystallization and a visible bubble; and a second module with three or more vertically positioned replaceable blades including at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch where the blades are spaced less than about three inches apart and the blades have a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less, wherein the second module is configured to feed the ice cube through the blades at over five feet per minute and the second module is configured to cut the ice cube into smaller ice cubes having a center portion that is void of a visible crack.
 17. A transparent ice cube making apparatus, comprising: a first module with a compressor assembly component; an expansion valve component; an inline moisture reducer component; an agitation device component; a watertight bin component to hold over about one gallon of water; a copper refrigeration pipe component held in continual thermal communication with the bottom wall of the bin component as the agitation device operates, wherein the bottom wall is made out of a material having at least a 16 percent chromium content and a sidewall of the bin is made out of a material having a thermal conductivity of less than about two watts per meter-Kelvin, wherein the transparent ice cube making apparatus is configured to freeze the water substantially in one direction through a bottom wall of the bin component to a top position of the bin component and produce an ice cube weighing over five pounds having a center portion that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble; and a second module with a vertically positioned replaceable blade having at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch where the blade has a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less, the second module configured to cut the ice cube into smaller ice cubes having a center portion that is void of a visible crack.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a sidewall of the bin component is configured to open and close to release the ice cube from the bin component and to form a watertight seal in a closed position.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a device heats the bottom wall of the bin component.
 20. A transparent ice cube making apparatus, comprising: a first module with a compressor assembly component configured to use a refrigerant having a boiling point lower than minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit; an expansion valve component; a bin component; an inline moisture reducer component; an ice mold component formed out of a polymer with a sidewall and a bottom wall, the bottom wall having a thickness of less than about 0.070 inches and the sidewall configured to flex when the ice mold is filled with water before the ice mold is placed inside the bin component a copper refrigeration pipe component located between a bottom plate portion of the bin component and a lower member component, wherein the lower member keeping the refrigeration pipe in continual thermal communication with the bottom plate as the agitation device agitates the water, and the bottom plate has a thermal conductivity of over 40 watts per meter-Kelvin and a corrosive penetration rate of less than five mils per year, wherein the transparent ice cube making apparatus is configured to freeze the water substantially in one direction through the bottom wall of the ice mold to a top position of the ice mold and produce an ice cube weighing over five pounds and the ice cube has a center portion that is void of visible crystallization and void of a visible bubble; and a second module with a vertically positioned replaceable blade having at least 16 percent chromium content and two to ten angled teeth per inch where the blade is further configured to operate at over 30 feet per minute and the blade has a thickness of about one quarter of an inch or less, the second module is configured to cut the ice cube into smaller ice cubes having a center portion that is void of a visible crack. 